Maxine Medina on Miss Universe journey

Maxine, indeed did her best to get the back-to back victory in the Philippines despite of all the criticisms she received from the netizens.
Image credit: Binibining Pilipinas

Millions of people witnessed the prestigious pageant held in the Philippines as Miss France Iris Mittenaere bagged the crown as the 2016 Miss Universe. However, Philippine’s bet Maxine Medina ended her Miss Universe journey as she failed to make it to top three.

The top three finalists in the pageant came from Colombia, France and Haiti.

Maxine, indeed did her best to get the back-to back victory in the Philippines despite of all the criticisms she received from the netizens. She prepared for more than half a year, making her as one of the most prepared delegates for the 65th edition of Miss Universe. She has been trained by multiple beauty pageant camps right after winning Binibining Pilipinas. According to Maxine’s mentor, she has already improved. Maxine worked hard for this pageant but netizens are still criticizing her lack of competence to speak in English.

On the 65th Miss Universe Preliminary show, Maxine shines as she paraded her swim suit and evening gown confidently. Maxine was in top form as she made a case for the crown, twirling and strutting down the stage at the Mall of Asia Arena in her green and white striped swimsuit. She gained loud cheers as well from the crowd as she confidently walked on stage in her elegant emerald dress, designed by Rhett Eala. The crowd’s favorites are Brazil, Colombia, Curacao, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Thailand, USA, Venezuela and, unsurprisingly, the Philippines.

Hence, many netizens praised the Filipina for appearing radiant despite all the criticisms she faced for the past few weeks due to her poor English skills making her a trending topic on twitter and facebook.

However, on the final round Maxine only made it to top 6 after being asked during the question and answer portion about the significant change that she noticed in the world for the last ten years.

Maxine who was advised to used the language she is most comfortable with and had an interpreter, still answered the question in English.

“In the last 10 years of being here in the world is that I saw all the people bringing in one event like this in Miss Universe and it’s something big to us that we are one. As one nation, we are all together,” Maxine answered.

Many folks from social media expressed their disappointment. Some said that she should’ve answered it in Tagalog instead of answering it in English. Others think that what’s the use of having an interpreter if she’s still going to answer it in English.

Nevertheless, celebrities and politicians also took to social media to congratulate and express their support for Philippine representative Maxine Medina, despite not winning a back-to-back crown.

Bianca Gonzalez also tweeted throughout the coronation. She tweeted, “Good job Maxine!!! We are very proud of you!!!!”

Some celebrities, including Ruffa Gutierrez and Dr. Vicky Belo, also joined a private viewing of the Miss Universe pageant.

“Congratulations nevertheless she made it top 6. I see it as a positive thing rather than a negative thing. She did the best she can in representing our country,” Ruffa said in an interview on ABS-CBN.

On the other hand, American TV host Steve Harvey returned to the Miss Universe stage after he mistakenly announced Miss Colombia as the winner on last year Miss Universe. During the coronation, Steve apologized once again and even joked around about the mistake he did on the pageant last year. He even thank Pia Wurtzbach for making him as the most popular host of the Miss Universe. Pia also jokingly gave him eyeglasses before Steve announces the new Miss Universe 2016.

Thus, Filipinos are still proud of Maxine even though she did not make a back-to-back win for the country. Making it to top six is still good and instead of bashing her on social media, let’s just all be proud of her for all her efforts and courage in representing Philippines on the 65th Miss Universe. Anyway, it’s not about the title, it’s all about the honor and pride she gave to the Philippines.

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